[uxgallery id=”8″] Spanish below

Jalil El Harrar 

Capturing The Dance Behind The Lens of Jacó Photographer

Jalil El Harrar is a German photographer now living on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. He is a master of capturing art in nature, transpiring over years of disciplined observation and commitment to his craft. 

 

Since his arrival in Costa Rica five years ago, Jalil has been fascinated with bird photography, in particular colibri (hummingbirds). He is also drawn to the beauty of the rarer bird, resplendent quetzal, found in the higher regions of Costa Rica. 

 

Subsequently, as a resident close to the beach, El Harrar began dabbling in surf photography both in Playa Jacó and Hermosa Beach. The fluidity of surfers within the waves inspires him for their resemblance to the dance of the hummingbirds. If you surf in Jacó, you may have spotted the unpretentious and quiet man under a palm tree, sitting on a chair with his eyes on the waves, camera in hand. 

 

In addition to surf and nature photography, Jalil is also a real estate photographer and available for contracted work. 

 

Here are some excerpts from a recent interview with the gifted photographer.

‘A surfer has to become one with the water in order to move easily. For me it’s like a dance in the ocean. It reminds me of the hummingbirds.’

How long have you been doing photography and what inspired you initially?

 

It all started during my former profession; I was the manager of a very popular nightclub. Whenever I had the chance I would borrow the photographer’s camera and take pictures myself of the people at the club. That’s when I realized how much I liked photography. When I arrived in Costa Rica I was charmed by something completely different. I became fascinated with birds.

 

What are your favorite birds to shoot here in Costa Rica? Do you have one or two preferred places to take photos?

 

My favorites birds are clearly the hummingbirds, the way they dance in the air is simply something from a movie. Next would be the quetzal. I always like to go to a place called El Cerro de la Muerte in San Gerardo de Dota (a mountain village popular for high-altitude birds like the quetzal). Laguna del Lagarto Lodge and Quetzal Lodge Paradise, among others, are two of my favorite places to shoot. 

 

I also enjoy taking photos here on the Pacific Coast. 

 

How many different places in Costa Rica have you been? Are there any places that you would like to visit in the future? 

 

I’d like to know more of the southern part of the country and also would like to explore the Caribbean. I know the areas in Costa Rica where you find birds. A photographer has curiosity for nature and obviously wants to know every corner. 

 

When did you begin to shoot surf photography and why do you like it so much? 

 

I began to take surf photos four years ago. 

 

A surfer has to become one with the water in order to move easily. For me it’s like a dance in the ocean. It reminds me of the hummingbirds.

 

Do you still offer photography workshops and where can people find that information?

 

Due to the pandemic, I have cancelled all workshops for this year. I will continue in 2021, with my next workshops planned for February, March and August. You can see all the details on my website page. 

 

Follow Jalil El Harrar on Facebook and Instagram @jalilelharrarphotography. 

 

Check out his website jalilelharrar.com for information about workshops, a gallery of photos and more. Contact Jalil directly through WhatsApp at 8671-6354. 

 

 

Jalil El Harrar 

Capturando El Baile Tras El Lens De Fotógrafo Jacobeño 

 

De donde es y cuanto tiempo de vivir en Costa Rica?                                                

 

Soy de Alemania y vivo aqui desde hace cinco anos. 

 

Más que todo le encanta sacar fotos de _____________?

Kolibris, Quetzal y surf. 

 

Cuanto tiempo tiene de ser fotógrafo y que le inspiró hacer esta forma del arte?

 

Todo empezó durante mi profesión de antes, era gerente de una discoteca de gran afluencia. Cuando tenía tiempo le quite la camera al fotógrafo y tome yo mismo fotos de los actores. Me di entonces cuenta que la fotografía me gustaba mucho. Cuando llegue a Costa Rica mi encanto era diferente y sobre todo mi fascinación fue para las aves.

 

¿Cuáles son sus sujetos favoritos aquí en Costa Rica? ¿Tiene uno o unos lugares preferidos para sacar fotos o prefiere no decir?

 

Mis favoritos de las aves son claramente los colibrís siguiendo del Quetzal. Como bailan en el aire es simplemente de película.

Siempre me gusta moverme donde “el cerro de la muerte” en San Gerardo de Dota  y donde nosotros vivimos en la costa del pacifico para tomar fotos.

Unos lugares preferidos son Laguna del Lagarto Lodge y Paraíso de Quetzal Lodge entre otros.

 

¿Cuantos diferentes lugares conoce de Costa Rica? Hay unas partes que no conoce que le gustaría conocer? Por que? 

 

Me gustaría conocer más el Sur del país y también quiero explorar el Caribe. El resto de Costa Rica me es familiar, es decir conozco los lugares donde se encuentran los pájaros. Un fotógrafo tiene curiosidad por naturaleza y claro que quiero conocer cada rincón.

 

Cuando empezó a sacar fotos de surf y por que le gusta tanto?

 

Hace unos cuatro años empecé a tomar fotos de surf. Un surfeador tiene que unirse con el agua para moverse fácilmente. Para mí es como un baile en el agua y me recuerda a los bailes de los colibrís. 

 

¿Ofrece talleres todavía? Cuando sera el proximo o va a esperar un rato para ver lo que pasa con eso de pandemia? 

 

Por la pandemia cancele todos los talleres. En el 2021 voy a seguir; en febrero, marzo y agosto tendré los próximos talleres. Pueden ver los detalles en mi página.